Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD)
Legislative Committee Minutes
November 5th, 2014
Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center, Reno
Video-conferenced to NDALC’s Las Vegas and Elko Sites
INTRODUCTIONS
NGCDD Legislative Committee Members Present: Chair Renee Portnell; Scott Carter; Tiffany
Hunter; Brian Patchett; and Jack Mayes Members Absent: Lisa Antram
NGCDD Staff Present: Kari Horn, Projects Manager and Diana Peachay, Executive Assistant
Guests Present: Jessica Hodges; Carol Hunter; and Casey Portnell
Call to Order and Introductions
Called to order by Chair Renee Portnell at 10:04am. A quorum was established.
Public Comment - None
Approval of August 2014 Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the August 2014 Legislative Committee minutes was offered by Jack Mayes,
seconded by Tiffany Hunter. The motion passed.
Discussion on Intellectual/ Developmental Disability issues at the National
and State Level having an Impact on Nevadans with I/ DD
Kari Horn reported that in October Senator Reid announced his intention to appoint Bob Brown
of Opportunity Village to serve on the National Council on Disability and noted the issues and
concerns. She spoke about the new provision that allows the Senate and House leaders to make
the new appointments to this council instead of the President and in addition the membership on
the council was reduced from 15 members to 9 members. She reported that National
Associations of Councils on Developmental Disabilities’ (NACDD) policy committee will be
discussing that appointment at their next meeting on November 13th. Also, Stephanie
Woodward, Director of Advocacy Center for Disability Rights, had sent out a statement of
concern regarding that appointment. Kari Horn will distribute the statement of concern to the
NGCDD Legislative Committee.
Jack Mayes reported he just came back from a national conference last week. He indicated that
Senator Reid, as the new Senator minority leader, will have the opportunity to appointment more
people, as well, so the Committee may want to speak with his staff about better candidates to put
on that council. He spoke of his national organization having concerns about appointing
someone who’s a very vocal supporter of segregated employment to a national council and they
would like to see Nevada rally and pressure Senator Reid to make a more reflective appointment
in the future. He noted everyone has expressed their concerns and the thought is that the Senator
is actually looking for somebody from the disability community to counter balance that
nomination; so that may happen.
Jack Mayes gave highlights of the mid-term election and noted there had been a landslide
towards republican representatives. He noted that there’s a lot of uncertainties with this big
change so they’re waiting to see what the fall out is going to be which could be good; it might
force them to break up the stalemate in Congress. He indicated the federal government is on a
continuing resolution so programs like NDALC, NGCDD, and others do not know what their
federal allocation will be this year since a budget hasn’t been passed yet. What they know is that
they have been allocated the same amount of funds they had last year on prorated bases through
December 11th and other decisions will be made after that date; he noted the possible options.
Jack Mayes gave an update on the International Treaty on Civil Rights for People with
Disabilities and its uncertainties. Kari Horn reported on what had transpired in Washington DC
last summer when Sherry Manning and she met with Senator Harkins’ staff and also Senator
Reid’s staff regarding the treaty. One of the main concerns they heard was if Senator Reid didn’t
put the vote on the floor this time it would just disappear and wouldn’t come back.
Jack Mayes reported that the State level is pretty much the exact same thing as the Federal level
regarding the elections. The republicans won every race and he gave brief highlights of the State
election. He noted that one supporter of disability issues of the past, Barbara Cegavske, was
elected Secretary of State which is a positive. Also, noted the school funding bill didn’t pass and
that there were some issues.
Jack Mayes reported on the Department of Health and Human Services Agency Request Budget
Highlights 16/17 Biennium; a handout was provided. He indicated some of the biggest
highlights are on page two of the report which is: the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid Expansion,
Food Security, and Behavioral Health and he gave a brief overview of each. He also gave an
update on the law suit regarding Patient Dumping and what has transpired from it. He also
discussed the benefits and impact on Mental Health; health clinics that are opening at Walmarts
and Walgreens; Medicaid/Affordable Care Act; and Managed Care/HMO. He cautioned that the
DHHS Agency Request Budget is just a request and not an approved budget and spoke about
what the next steps are for the proposal. The Governor’s recommended budget comes out in
January that goes to the Legislature and 99% of his budget gets approved.
Jack Mayes gave an update on the Interim Committee on Seniors, Veterans and Adults with
Disabilities proposed legislation that was previously under democratic leadership. He indicated
he wasn’t sure where that leaves the proposed legislation since it is under republican leadership
now and they don’t necessarily have to follow those recommendations.
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Next Meeting Date
The Committee agreed to have the next meeting in January after the Governor’s State of the
State Address. Then they will come back together and debate what the Governor’s priorities are
and maybe offer letters of support in certain areas or issue letters of concern. Kari Horn
recommended from now until January to make sure to get out the information about Senator
Reid’s appointment to the community and People First members so they may put that as an
agenda item for their next meeting on November 11th. Jessica Hodges will email Scott Carter
the upcoming People First meeting dates.
Public Comment
Tiffany Hunter announced she is leaving with her family to travel to Washington DC and then to
their home in Florida for the winter. She added that she submitted her NGCDD membership
resignation to Sherry Manning on October 31, 2014 after her third term of service and indicated
she’d like to stay on the Legislative Committee. Kari Horn commented on behalf of Sherry
Manning, staff, the Council and People First they are sad to see her go and thanked her for her
service and are pleased she still wants to be involved with the Legislative Committee. Kari Horn
stated, in addition, Diana Peachay is retiring and her last day is November 21st and we will
definitely miss her as well and want to thank her again for her amazing service to the Council.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:40am.